Development Agreement Put Together for Affordable Housing Project

A development agreement has been put together to provide financial incentives for an affordable housing apartment project on Sturgeon Bay’s east side. 

The city’s Finance/Purchasing and Building Committee recommended the agreement, which received final approval by the Common Council on June 16. 

Developer Brian Spoerl of Spoerl Commercial said he plans to begin construction in July on a three-story, 39-unit apartment building as the first phase of the development, known as The Avenue, to be built along North 14th Avenue near Georgia Street. The project has been awarded low-income housing tax credits (LIHTC) from the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA). 

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Leo's notes: While often overlooked, preemptive agreements that outline responsibilities between municipality and developer are a critical tool for translating community housing goals into shovel-ready projects. As communities across Wisconsin continue searching for ways to overcome housing shortages, structured public-private agreements like this one demonstrate how local governments can reduce uncertainty while ensuring public investments deliver long-term workforce housing outcomes.